UVic Torch Alumni Magazine - Spring 2018 by University of Victoria

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t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f V i c toria Alumni Magazine

spring 2018

Uvic

ToRch Game Changers

innovative Uvic profs and alUmni who are leading their fields

Plus: Author Eden Robinson | Martlet at 70 | Indigenous Entrepreneurs

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on campUs

Monday Movement PhotogRAPhy by gREg MIllER Movement, music and collaboration were the focus of an advanced ballet class held Monday nights at the studio in the Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA). e recreation class, led by UVic PhD student Marla MacKinnon, rehearsed for a showcase, with piqué turns and pirouettes to original choreography she created to the song “River” by Leon Bridges.

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Table of Contents Uvic torch alumni magazine • spring 2018

Features 18 champions of innovation We profile seven outstanding members of the UVic community who are leading in their fields, pushing boundaries and making a difference — including baseball boss JC Fraser, professors Elizabeth Borycki, Sandrina de Finney, Fraser Hof, Chris Kennedy, Helga orson, and alum Patrick McFadden.

12 trickster Business Multiple award-winning Haisla novelist Eden Robinson mixes Indigenous mythology with contemporary issues in a hot new trilogy. by John thRElfAll, bA ’96

17 Building entrepreneurs Developed in partnership with the Tribal Resources Investment Corporation (TRICORP) and the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business, the Aboriginal Canadian Entrepreneurs Program provides culturally appropriate business education in Indigenous communities across BC. 2 UVIc toRch SPRIng 2018

what’s new with You? Be in the next class notes. send news and photos to: torch@uvic.ca EdEn RobInSon © REd WoRkS PhotogRAPhy 2016

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Departments 4 5

editor’s note president’s perspective by PRESIdEnt JAMIE cASSElS, Qc

ringside news Soundskrit • Helping new immigrants • Chasing coral

here to help Beth Doman shares how to take better smartphone videos

print matters

mY daY UVic Vikes women’s basketball coach Dani Sinclair tells us how she does it

the change-Up How Daniel Edler went from desk jockey to ice cream man

giving Back

alUmni life/class notes

vox alUmni How Roller Derby Changed My Life by QUInn MAcdonAld, bA ’14

coVER Photo of Jc fRASER by gEoff hoWE

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editor’s note

Mother and Son Alumni Inspire edyta sahlen, and her son, arne, share a passion for the arts and for public service BY JennY manzer

any family traits and gifts are passed down, from physical attributes to tea sets and pocket watches. In the case of the Sahlen family, mother Edyta and son Arne share a commitment to the artistic life and improving the lives of others. ey are also both proud University of Victoria alumni. Edyta, who turned 100 this year, started studying at UVic in 1978 following the death of her husband, Göte, known as Ray. She dug her way out of her grief to earn a Bachelor’s degree in History in Art in 1984. She was 66 years old. Edyta, born to parents who immigrated from Poland, was not one to shy away from bold moves. “Mom and her sister did extraordinary things together for their time,” says Arne. “In 1948, they decided to cycle across Canada, got to Calgary, found there were no hostels on the prairies, so sold their bikes and worked as secretaries in New York.” Edyta (pronounced e-DETta) is a painter and a musician with a love for opera and symphony as well as the great musicals. She was always a friend to all: a lifelong volunteer in arts, community and public service, says Arne. She devoted her time to promoting the arts while living in Prince Rupert, then Prince George in the 1960s and early ’70s. She also loved nature. In 1969, Arne watched her stand against a tree to block a bulldozer. Later, while living in Victoria, Edyta began helping Cambodian refugees by sponsoring a family as well as spending time in her home community with seniors who were isolated. Edyta travelled to Cambodia at age 84 and befriended many she met. She rode motorbikes

TORCH volume 39, number 1 • Spring 2018 e UVic Torch Alumni Magazine is published in the spring and autumn by the University of Victoria, Division of External Relations and the UVic Alumni Association. We acknowledge and respect the Lkwungen-speaking peoples on whose traditional territory the university stands and the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEC peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

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for the first time and faced her terror of snakes by wrapping a boa constrictor around her neck. “Well, that’s something I have never done before!” she quipped. e second of three sons, Arne earned a degree in Piano Performance from UVic in 1978. e piano teacher also helps Cambodian refugees, learning the Khmer language and hosting dozens of refugees in his Kimberley, BC home. He regularly plays benefit concerts, and his Cambodia Support Group has raised more than $3 million over the years. In 2000, Arne received the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award for his years of humanitarian and artistic service. Giving back is simply part of his family’s legacy, says Arne: “It’s what we do.” eir family tradition sparks reflection: How can we also help lift up others with our time, our energy and our resources? Happy 100th to Edyta Josefina Sahlen! ••• Spring is a time of renewal, and you may notice some fresh departments planted in your issue of the Torch, including My Day, which highlights the schedule of a fascinating person from the UVic community; e Change-Up, a profile of someone connected to UVic who has made a bold life change; and Here to Help, a page offering tips on how to do anything better from an on-campus expert. We’ve also started up a page dedicated to books written by our alumni. Please let us know your thoughts: torch@uvic.ca. T

address Updates and corrections torch@uvic.ca letters e Torch welcomes mail from readers who wish to comment on anything they’ve read in the magazine. Correspondence may be edited for clarity and length prior to publication. UVic Torch Alumni Magazine PO Box 1700 STN CSC Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2 phone: 250-721-6000 toll-free: 1-800-808-6828 e-mail: torch@uvic.ca

editor Jenny Manzer, BA ’97 art direction Rayola Creative Clint Hutzulak, BA ’89 chancellor Shelagh Rogers president and vice-chancellor Jamie Cassels, QC vice-president external relations Carmen Charette

edYta sahlen enjoyed her birthday celebrations that took place in Victoria over four days at the end of March and early April.

Edyta Sahlen poses at her 1984 UVic graduation with sons hans, arne, and allan.

president, Uvic alUmni association Peter Jong, Cert ’02, BSc ’03, Dipl ’03 Publication Mail Agreement No. 40010219 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Advancement Services University of Victoria PO Box 1700 STN CSC Victoria BC V8W 2Y2 Printed in Canada ISSN 1191-7032

uvic.ca/torch

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president’s perspective

A Future Framework the University of victoria’s strategic framework was drafted with widespread engagement, including ideas and input from alumni by JAMIE cASSElS, Qc • PRESIdEnt And VIcE-chAncElloR

“We have created an ambitious framework of priorities and strategies that we hope will provide an inspirational shared narrative for the next ﬁve years.”

t’s an exciting time of year on campus as another graduating class prepares to embark on their path of new beginnings. Over the coming year, the University of Victoria will also start down a new path, thanks to a bold Strategic Framework that was approved by the Board of Governors on May 29, 2018. First, I wanted to tell you how encouraged I was by the widespread engagement, creative ideas and support we received over the consultation period, from September 2017 to March of this year. We are all connected to UVic in different ways and see the university through varied lenses; hearing those diverse perspectives was invaluable. We have created an ambitious framework of priorities and strategies that will provide an inspirational shared narrative for the next five years. During the consultation, we reaffirmed our deep commitment to contribute to a positive future for people, places and the planet. It is with that in mind that our new Strategic Framework articulates priorities and high-reaching goals that will guide planning activities and decision-making over the next five years. We aim to be the Canadian research university that best integrates outstanding scholarship, engaged learning and real-life involvement to contribute to a better future for people and the planet– one that depends on cultivating the creative, critical and inquiring minds we have at UVic. We have work to do together. We will strive to build on the foundation of our extraordinary academic environment, contribute to environmental sustainability, continue to work with Indigenous partners on the important project of reconciliation and reach out to communities around the globe. Engaging more with the supporters and partners outside our campus environment will be key, and alumni are one of our most important groups. As ambassadors for UVic, alumni strengthen our connections with communities, engage in lifelong learning and are integral to a robust culture of giv-

ing in all forms–time, mentorship, opportunity and financial support. e pride and affection that alumni feel toward UVic reflects the strong sense of community we have built on campus. I know that many students were transformed through their experiences at UVic and grew to embody the attributes we aspire to instill in our graduates. ey are leaders, innovators and influencers in areas such as sport, creative arts, technology, entrepreneurship and science. ey make a vital impact with the work they do. Cultivating life-long connections with these alumni helps us to implement our priorities in learning, research and teaching as well as to reach beyond campus to the world around us. ank you to all the alumni who engaged with us through the strategic planning process. Your ideas and comments provided real-world context to the directions of this Strategic Framework that will serve students, faculty, staff and our university community. Indeed, it is through the success and contributions of our alumni that our university proves its value. e theme of this issue of the Torch is innovation, and the countless success stories—including those profiled here—show our alumni mobilizing their knowledge and talent to create a better world. T to read Uvic’s strategic framework please visit: www.uvic.ca/strategicframework

strategic priorities • • • • • •

cultivate an extraordinary academic environment Advance research excellence and impact Intensify dynamic learning foster respect and reconciliation Promote sustainable futures Engage locally and globally

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Thank you for speaking with us! As student callers, we keep in touch with you, tell you whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new at the university, and let you know how you can make a di erence on campus. Thank you for sharing your UVic stories with us and helping to provide students with dynamic learning experiences in an extraordinary environment. If you have any ques ons about making a gi , please contact Jenelle Murray at 250-472-4924 or by email at giving@uvic.ca.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re better, together.

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solutionsinsurance.com/uvic 1.800.266.5667

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ringside

A Sound Idea From left to right: Sahil gupta (product lead), Stephane leahy (hardware lead), and iman moazzen (software lead) gather around their prototype.

iman moazzen moved from BC to the other side of the country in pursuit of his dream: to build a better directional microphone. Moazzen (PhD ’13) and his partners at Soundskrit, based in Montreal, are developing an innovative directional microphone that separates sounds and increases sound quality for applications in consumer electronics. e team uses a biology-inspired design that directly measures the particle velocity of sound instead of its pressure. Existing devices currently require a collection of microphones, which takes up space, requires extra processing power and restricts industrial design. Moazzen says the company’s prototype was inspired by the way insects use thin hairs to detect direction. Soundskrit uses a special membrane on a custom chip. Sound enters from all sides and, based on how it vibrates the membrane, its origin can be determined with accuracy without compromising the quality of the sound. e company’s prototype is still in early stages. “Our ultimate goal is to have a directional microphone of very small size,” says Moazzen. learn more at soundskrit.ca

thE MoUntAIn lEgAcy PRoJEct: M.E. SAnSEVERIno.

eyes on the peaks

the Mountain legacy Project 2016 ﬁeld crew (left to right): rick arthUr, JUlie fortin, kristen walsh, sandra freY, and eric higgs in kananaskis country, Alberta.

the mountain legacy project (mountainlegacy.ca) is raising the alarm about the impacts of climate change on our majestic peaks by using repeat photography and an array of photographs from over the ages. the research team, led by University of victoria environmental scientist dr. eric higgs, has documented 150 years of ecological and cultural change by bringing modern camera equipment deep into the back country. they’ve returned each summer for nearly 20 years to capture fresh images of scenes in exactly the same locations as the original photos ﬁrst taken by dozens of mountain surveyors from 1861 to 1958. the team then compares results. the project, originally led by higgs at the University of alberta (1998-2001), quickly grew beyond the rocky mountains and became the mountain legacy project shortly after higgs brought the project with him to Uvic’s school of environmental studies in 2002.

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a way with words More than 1,800 community members and stakeholders have received Google Translate training through the We Speak Translate project, which is led by a UVic graduate, kate longpre (MA ’16). e project is an innovative collaboration between Google Translate and the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA), utilizing the Google Translate app for refugee resettlement and newcomer inclusion in communities. In October 2016, Longpre, the ICA’s Community Integration Coordinator, approached Google Translate with the idea, intended to address the key barrier to new immigrant integration: language. Longpre was interested in repurposing the technology as a tool for communities to use to promote diversity and inclusion. Google Translate was immediately interested, and in April 2017 the ﬁrst We Speak Translate pilot project launched in Victoria. e project involves training community stakeholders, organizations and institutions in the Google Translate app. After completing a brief, free in-person or webinar training, participants receive a We Speak Translate decal. Training in the Google Translate app establishes a common platform for communication while newcomers develop their English language skills. e training has now occurred across Canada.

Roque Silva, of google translate, and kate longpre, from the Intercultural Association of greater Victoria, collaborated on an innovative idea to build bridges for new immigrants.

learn more: http://www.icavictoria.org/community/we-speak-translate

alumna confronts europe’s refugee crisis tori Bedingfield (bA

’11) travelled to greece to study the remnants of human history. but just a short walk from her job as an archeologist in Athens she confronted one of today’s most pressing issues— Europe’s refugee crisis. by day, bedingﬁeld, who graduated with a bachelor of Arts in greek and Roman Studies and Anthropology before completing a master’s at Queen’s University, works in an archaeological sciences lab in Athens. outside of work hours, the Victoria resident became increasingly involved in raising money to help feed and clothe 400 refugees living nearby in an abandoned school. “Refugee camps are full to bursting in Athens, so people have had to squat in abandoned buildings,” she says. “the refugee crisis is very visible in greece.”

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captivated by coral christine roper (bSc ‘15) has plunged into life after her University of Victoria studies by contributing to work involving the world’s largest coral reef system: the great barrier Reef. Since arriving in Australia in April 2016, Roper has worked as a research assistant for the University of Queensland, assisted with manual underwater filming for the netflix original documentary Chasing Coral, and worked as a scientific diver and coral research intern. Roper began volunteering for great barrier Reef legacy in August 2016. last year, she joined their research expedition to help assess the health of the reefs and search for resilient “super coral” species in the remote far northern great barrier Reef. In february of 2018, Roper began her master’s degree in Marine biology and Ecology at James cook University to study coral reef resilience and the challenges they are facing due to climate change. She says attending UVic was influential in fueling her passion for research, particularly the hands-on learning opportunities available through co-op Education.

toP lEft: UVIc Photo SERVIcES. toRI bEdIngfIEld by kIM choRong. chRIStInE RoPER coURtESy of gREAt bARRIER REEf lEgAcy.

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ringside

Making the News working at Uvic’s student newspaper, the Martlet, has been a Bigsby family tradition since the 1960s BY marshall scott-BigsBY

’m not sure if we actually have ink in our veins or simply a family penchant for deadlines and bylines, but I am the third generation of Bigsbys to write for the Martlet newspaper. My grandfather, Jim BigsBY (BA ’67), would describe his University of Victoria education as a major in the Martlet with a minor in Economics and Political Science. Let’s go back to the beginning. e Sentinel and e Microscope were, for a time, separate and independent student newspapers run out of Craigdarroch Castle—the location of Victoria College— starting in 1938. In 1948, after the two publications merged, a vote was taken to rename it “Martlet,” in part to recognize the three birds on the UVic shield. Jim Bigsby began writing for Martlet in 1962 at the Lansdowne campus (the current location of Camosun College) and served a half-year term as editor beginning in 1963. My grandmother, kathleen (née harveY, BA ’67), was a staff member from 1963 to 1966. My dad, david BigsBY, (BA ’91 started off as a volunteer in 1987, drawing cartoons and writing. He eventually became Martlet news editor. He also ran in a student election using his pet rat as a proxy candidate—but that’s another story. My father soon fell in love with reporting. As he grew more engrossed in the world of journalism, he started to eye a professional position. Prophetically, his creation of “Mundane Magazine” in the annual Martlet parody issue ended up being a precursor to him working at the actual Monday Magazine. My father also met my mother, andrea scott (BA ’96; BEd ’16), through a mutual friend—UVic. She had moved from Saskatchewan to row and to study writing, and thanks to that transition she ended up meeting my father. My first article — a satirical piece about hyphens — was published in Octo-

coURtESy of MARTLET

ber 2017, 30 years after my father’s first piece and 55 years after my grandfather’s. A lot has changed since they both worked at the Martlet. My grandfather would write up his stories in pen or using a typewriter and paper. When my grandfather had his thoughts cast into metal, or when my father glued his news pieces onto flats with hot wax, or as I type these words now into my laptop, one thing has remained constant: the tireless effort of a team of writers and editors creates a newspaper. And that is what makes the Martlet, which turns 70 this year, so special. It’s why three generations of my family have contributed to it, and it’s why I encourage people to consider writing for us. e sense of chiselling a coherent article out of the marble block of your mind brings a feeling of elation. And that feeling is why people decide to write in the first place. T

marshall scott-BigsBY, a Martlet contributor, is one of several members of his family who have devoted their time and talents to the newspaper, including his grandfather, Jim BigsBY, seen below. Below left: the front page of the Martlet from September 15, 1964, reporting the campus news of the day. Page three of the issue reminds students of upcoming events: “do not forget” – Monday: lIttER bUg RAcE – thursday: clASh of VIEWS – friday: fRoSh dAncE – Saturday: log SAW

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ringside

Iconic Malahat Review Turns 50

founding editors roBin skelton and John peter, then professors in the department of English at UVic, established the journal in 1967. the faculty of humanities has supported the Malahat over its history, with the faculty of fine Arts providing additional funding in recent years.

he first edition of e Malahat Review came off the presses the same year as Expo ’67 was in Montreal and the first moon landing was still two years away. is revered literary journal, housed at UVic since its inception and now celebrating its 50th anniversary, has served as a springboard for some of the most recognizable names in Canadian publishing. e Malahat was the first to publish a short story by Canadian author Yann Martel, 14 years before he went on to win the Booker Prize for the international bestseller Life of Pi. e journal dedicated an entire issue in 1977 to Margaret Atwood’s work—before she became internationally known and only five years after she published her pivotal survey of Canadian literature, Survival. Poets such as Michael Ondaatje, Dionne Brand, Lorna Crozier and Patricia Young have frequently graced its pages. A commemorative publication, e Malahat Review at Fifty: Canada’s Iconic Literary Journal, was edited by outgoing editor John Barton and produced by UVic Libraries. e limited-edition monograph highlights e Malahat’s achievements while looking forward to the future and is richly illustrated with archival material from UVic Special Collections and University Archives. https://www.uvic.ca /library/about/ul/publications/index.php. An installation at the Maltwood Galleries also celebrated the publications with displays of issues, cover art, and other artifacts ranging from a vintage typewriter to menus from editorial dinners. —Tara Sharpe (BA ’95) long-time Malahat Review editor and poet John Barton (left) stands with christine walde of UVic libraries, who collaborated on the publication The Malahat Review at Fifty along with clint hUtzUlak of Rayola creative. barton has recently resigned after serving as editor since January 2004.

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The Malahat Review featured some of canada— and the world’s—top writers of all genres. the covers were striking, including works of art by international artists such as Andy Warhol and this one by bc artist lawrence Paul yuxweluptun for the “Indigenous Perspectives” issue.

covers through the ages, including Issue 1, 1967, which featured cover art by henry Moore (Atom Piece, 1964).

UVIc Photo SERVIcES. MALAHAT REVIEW coVER coURtESy of MALAHAT REVIEW

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here to help

Make a Better Smartphone Video did you know you can shoot and edit videos right on your smartphone, no computer required?

A still from a smartphone video taken by Jes scott, who learned some shooting tips from Beth doman.

Beth doman, video production and web design coordinator at the University of victoria, tells stories about our campus through images. here, she shares her top tips for making videos on your smartphone.

top tips for shooting video: • Always be sure you are shooting at a horizontal orientation. • Keep the shots steady to avoid blurry footage. Use a tripod or lock your elbows to your sides. • Shoot a variety of shots—establishing shot, which could be a large vista or building exterior to provide context and set the scene. en film some medium shots, which might include people filmed from the waist up. Add in some close-ups, and don’t be shy! Film hands in action, eyes looking at objects, etc. • Be sure not to shoot directly into a light source. Move into the shade or turn around so your back is facing the light source • Take note of the sounds around you and avoid filming in wind. You can also improve sound by purchasing a microphone (both RØDE and Audio-Technica make good ones). Stand close to your subject so the sound is clear and loud. • Experiment with slow motion and time-lapse effects (use a tripod for the latter). • Shoot for minimum of 10 seconds. • Don’t rely on your zoom. Move your feet to get closer to your subject. JES Scott/ WE bElong oUtSIdE, httP://WEbElongoUtSIdE.coM

• Shoot interesting angles. Stand up on a chair, crouch low to the ground. ink before you shoot!

tips for editing: • Try editing with one of these free cross-platform apps: Adobe Premiere Clip or GoPro Quik (try the automatic mode first, then try the manual one for more control). • Import all your footage. Organize your clips to tell a good story: choose one establishing shot first, show the central theme of the story in the middle, then add in an interesting conclusion—end with a bang or perhaps a fun outtake. • You can add music available from the app or source your own. Be mindful of copyright if you’re posting your work online. Try searching for Creative Commons music to be safe. • Make your video less than one minute. • Save/export to your device/library. • en you are ready to share on social media! e best way to improve is to just get out there and shoot! Practise, practise, practise. Please note, UVic welcomes sharing videos from alumni about our university on our social media channels. Please tag #uvic and/or contact bdoman@uvic.ca to potentially share your creations. T check out a video from Uvic staffer Jes scott to get a taste of the possibilities: http://webelongoutside.com/ 2017/07/video-wild-women-climb-warden-peak/

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profile

Trickster Business multiple award-winning haisla novelist eden robinson mixes indigenous mythology with contemporary issues in a hot new trilogy B Y J o h n t h r e l fa l l , B a ’ 9 6

t’s a good time to be a trickster. Long an essential archetype in mythologies around the world, tricksters delight in using their special abilities to flout the rules of convention and undercut the efforts of gods and mortals alike. And, given our chaotic times, it’s no surprise that tricksters are back in fashion—consider the popular representations of Loki in e Avengers, Maui in Moana, and Mr. Anansi in American Gods, to name just a few. e trickster is also lighting up the Canadian bestseller list, thanks to the efforts of award-winning Haisla novelist and Creative Writing alumna Eden Robinson (BFA ’92). Her latest novel, 2017’s Son of a Trickster, quickly became one of last year’s “it” books, landing on almost every Canadian “best-of” book list and shortlisted for the 2017 Scotiabank Giller Prize. But it doesn’t stop there: after receiving the $25,000 Writers Trust Engel/Findley Award in 2016 for her body of work (which at the time included two novels, a memoir and a book of short stories), Robinson also received the $50,000 Writers Trust Fellowship in 2017. is spring she was shortlisted for the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize in the BC Book Prizes, the highly anticipated second book in her Trickster trilogy—Trickster Drift—is set for release in October of this year, and Son of a Trickster has just been optioned as a television series by Sienna Films, producers of the television

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Author eden roBinson, known for her infectious laugh, is back with a new, acclaimed novel: Son of a Trickster. Robinson won our UVic distinguished Alumni Award in 2001.

show Cardinal and the film New Waterford Girl. “It’s all a little surreal,” Robinson admits. “I mean, awards are essential to your profile, to feeling like you’re part of the literary world, but having your peers spotlight your work is an incredible feeling, and that faith is important going forward. When you have a lot of self-doubt, it’s important to reflect on the fact that people believe in you, and your work and your future work.” Robinson left Vancouver in 2003 to return to Kitamaat Village in Haisla territory on BC’s central coast (not to be confused with the much larger nearby Kitimat), where she grew up. She came to University of Victoria in the late ‘80s on the recommendation of her cousins, who were already enrolled here. “And my dad really liked the fact that the Creative Writing department had an internship program, where you could work in the summer,” she says, before pausing and breaking into her long, loud laugh that has become famous in CanLit. “But I was placed in government positions, so I just did a lot of photocopying.” When asked about writing professors who influenced her, Robinson rattles off a list that includes Mark Anthony Jarman, Dave Godfrey and W.D. Valgardson, but admits that she wasn’t necessarily a big success right out of the gate. “I got a zero out of 10 on an assignment from one of my poetry professors, so it made me really question whether I was actually a writer—but, as the semester went on, I eventually crossed the five out of 10 threshold.” e prof? None other than iconic poet Robin Skelton, who founded the department. “But it all worked out: I ended up doing two more workshops with him, and he turned out to be highly influential in the way I use language,” she says.

REd WoRkS

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e last time Robinson spoke with the Torch was back in 2001, just after her debut novel Monkey Beach was shortlisted for both the Governor General’s Literary Award and the Giller Prize. At the time, she mentioned that it was in her third-year writing class that she first discovered the joy of writing. Is that sense of joy still there, five books and nearly 20 years later? “Right now?” she asks with a wry laugh. “I’m just getting into the first draft of the third novel, and it’s a bit bumpy. Once you get hot and start powering through, though, there’s nothing as much fun.” While she may be at work on the third novel, readers are still only on book one of the trickster trilogy. Described in the Giller Prize citation as “a novel that shimmers with magic and vitality, featuring a compelling narrator somewhere between Holden Caulfield and Harry Potter,” Son of a Trickster offers a unique coming-of-age story where Jared, an Indigenous teenager, balances the gritty reality of life on a small-town BC reserve with the realization that his background may be more . . . unconventional than he was raised to believe. But it isn’t until he accepts that the talking ravens, swirling fireflies and ravenous river otters may not be pot-cookie hallucinations but actually lifethreatening realities that Jared starts taking his mythologically mixed parentage more seriously. “Jared is definitely a character for our times,” Robinson says. “We’re in a time of massive flux and chaos, and it’s hard to process all the crazy things that are happening; tricksters thrive on that—they try to make jokes out of it. ey’re very big characters, and they’re a lot of fun to write.” “Flux and chaos” is a good way to describe an era highlighted by protests over issues ranging from pipelines and reconciliation to murdered and missing Indigenous women. She is a strong advocate for the rights of Indigenous women and against the Northern Gateway project. Robinson also penned a widely read op-ed for the Globe and Mail about the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline expansion—although she stops short of being seen as a voice for all causes. “Kinder Morgan doesn’t directly affect my territory, but I’m very sympathetic to people’s concerns,” she says. “I’m willing to lend my voice and my support to certain causes, but it’s the people from the affected communities who should be the ones getting the spotlight. I find a lot of issues are like that—I’m willing to listen, I’m willing to learn, but I don’t want to overstep my role.” She’s similarly cautious about being seen as the leading Indigenous authorial voice. “e writers coming up now give me a lot of hope because they’re very comfortable speaking their minds—politically, socially and personally—and a lot of the things they’re talking about are longstanding issues. ey’re

“When you have a lot of selfdoubt, it’s important to reﬂect on the fact that people believe in you, and your work, and your future work.”

letting it all go, and if there’s clapback, there’s clapback.” Robinson’s characters in Son of a Trickster similarly avoid one-size-ﬁts-all activism: some are politically astute and ready to put themselves on the line for causes they believe in, while others simply want to party. (ey are small-town BC teenagers, after all.) “I know from personal experience that a lot of people around here aren’t tuned into anything that’s going on, whether in the world or the Twittersphere,” she says. “ey’re mostly concerned with their own lives, their families, their work. I’m just trying to reﬂect more of a spectrum than a specific point of view.” When asked about her forthcoming novel, Trickster Drift, Robinson says. “I’m one of those people who spoil things—I like talking about Game of rones or e Walking Dead before anyone has seen it—but I don’t want to spoil my own book. So let’s just say Jared tries to escape magic by going to Vancouver but it becomes an increasing presence in his life: he becomes a trickster himself.” Trickster Drift also introduces a whole new character in Jared’s aunt. “She’s an eccentric writer who is also somewhat political, Not that she’s based on anyone!” says Robinson, with one of her trademark laughs. T

Son of a Trickster, the ﬁrst in a trilogy, was released in 2017 to widespread acclaim.

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mY daY

Courting Champions a team eﬀort at home keeps coach dani sinclair at the top of her game

dani sinclair (Bed ’09) is head coach of the vikes women’s basketball program. during her six years as coach, she led the vikes to the canada west final four for the first time in 10 years—while raising three young children. she tells us about a typical saturday when the team has a home game. 5 a.m. Ben, my toddler, is awake. Every morning between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. he comes in and needs his back rubbed to return to sleep. ere are many nights where all three boys (James, 7 and Joseph, 5) need some tending. I haven’t had a full night’s sleep in almost a decade, but that’s parenthood. Once I’m awake, my mind races and I have difficulty getting back to sleep. 6 a.m. If the boys are still asleep, I sneak downstairs to re-watch and edit clips from Friday night’s game. If we are on the road and in a hotel room, I try to watch the game while Ben sleeps next to me. I always need to eat and have a cup of coffee first thing. I’ve been on a smoothie-bowl kick and I love an Americano. 7 a.m. Once the boys are awake I shift gears for an hour or so. We cuddle, make breakfast, talk about their plans for the day, and I help them get dressed. I try to let my husband, Matt, and mom, Anne Marie Everitt—who lives with us during the season to help with the boys—sleep in. ey are both on-duty early on weekdays and will have the boys once I leave for practice.

have recruits visiting and I will spend the afternoon with them, taking them for lunch and a tour of the campus. 1:30 p.m. If we have no recruits visiting, I can head home and spend an hour with my family before coming back for the game. My older two boys are busy with their own activities so I’ll often go watch them play soccer or hockey, or perhaps take them to a birthday party or playdate. 2:30 p.m. Time to get ready for the game. My mom is my personal shopper and helps me put together an outfit. It’s my one chance all week to get out of my athletic wear and dress up. I also like to listen to music, all different kinds, to help calm my nerves. 3:15 p.m. Off to the gym. I always stop for a coffee (black Americano) on the way to Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA). Finnerty’s at the UVic Bookstore is a regular go-to. 3:45 p.m. Quiet and reflective time in the office. I like to shut my door, drink my coffee and watch the other U SPORTS games underway around the country. Watching other games helps me relax. My nerves disappear once the game starts. 4:10 p.m. Head down to the hardwood. Our team is well into their warm-up routine. I will touch base and sit with my staff and also chat with the opposing coach.

8:30 a.m. Exercise break! I figured out a long time ago that no matter what, I would make time to at least go for a run every day. It is my mental break. It helps me to focus and makes me feel great. I’m meeting my assistant coaches for coffee, so I jog there to be efficient with my time. 9 a.m. Coaches meeting with my colleagues Leanne Evans (MA ’17) and Brett Westcott (BA ’86). We go over the plan for morning practice and the game tonight. 10:15 a.m. We meet with the whole team to review video from last night’s game. We discuss what we did well and where we need to improve. 11 a.m. On the court for practice with the team to walk through adjustments. 12 p.m. I make a few phone calls at my office, usually to recruits (a full-time job in itself ). Often during home weekends, we will

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4:30 p.m. Pre-game talk in the team room. It’s a routine thing that is special—only the inner circle of the team is involved. It is where we come together one last time before we head into battle. 5 p.m. Team introductions, the national anthem, and then game time! We love listening to Tony Cordle, who has been singing the anthem long before I played at UVic. We’ve spent our whole week preparing for tip-off. It will be nearly two hours of intense, fun, pressure-packed basketball. It is mentally and physically exhausting but is the high that we as athletes and coaches all crave. 7 p.m. Game over and it’s time for post-game routines. Usually I chat to the Times Colonist, CHEK News, and of course our UVic communications team. We then head to the change room for a team post-game talk. It’s a good opportunity to connect and put the week to rest. 7:15 p.m. Now I can finally go find my boys in the stands. ey love attending the games. ey always give me a big hug after the game. 8 p.m. My husband takes the boys home to bed. I stick around to watch the men’s game and touch base with recruits, coaches and community supporters who have come to watch. 9 p.m. Home. Finally. I am usually too tired to do anything other than crash on the couch and have a glass of wine with my mom or husband. If I have an ounce of energy left we might stay up and watch a movie. 12 a.m. I know I need to sleep but Saturday nights, especially at home, are my absolute favourite time of the week. It’s the one chance I have to take a break and enjoy some kid-free time. I know it won’t last long. Bottom line: “When I look back over these past years, there’s a part of me that wonders how I ever made it through, but I also know that these have the best years of my life. I’ve cherished every single moment, good and bad. I’ve been able to do it because I love my family, my friends and supporters—and I truly love my job.” T

Photo of dAnI WIth hER Son coURtESy of dAnI SInclAIR

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print matters

Meeting a Murderer

alumna carys cragg put personal pain to the page in a memoir about her father’s violent death

Why not try a new perspective?

carYs cragg came out the other side of a violent death in her family with complicated questions and stories to tell. Her true crime literary memoir, Dead Reckoning: How I Came to Meet the Man Who Murdered My Father, launched last fall to a raft of favourable reviews. e work by the graduate of UVic’s School of Child and Youth Care (BA ’05, MA ’08) examines the fallout from the death of her father, Calgary doctor Geoﬀrey Cragg. Dr. Cragg was murdered during a botched robbery in 1995 when Carys was 11. Twenty years later, Carys chose to reach out to her father’s killer, Sheldon Klatt, through a restorative justice program. She exchanged letters with him and eventually met him in prison. Carys, currently a faculty member at Douglas College’s Child & Youth Care program, says such highly personal stories are often kept private, for good reasons. “However, the consequence of that trend is that no one has the opportunity to learn, be challenged by, resist against or follow those models for their own lives. I believe memoir oﬀers stories to the world for us all to consider and widen our perspectives of the human condition. Finally, right now, restorative justice is entering into mainstream dialogue.” Dead Reckoning is available from arsenal pulp press.

Get a sneak peek at some of our upcoming courses on our website. And why stop there? Join thousands of learners on our email list and be one of the first to see all our courses in the Sept-Dec 2018 Calendar.

JOIN TODAY continuingstudies.uvic.ca/torch

e Economics of Sport JUstin Bedi, BA ’12 (political science and journalism), MA (University of Saskatchewan), recently launched his book: Sports Are Worth How Much!? And Other Questions in Pro Sports, Answered (Kind Of ). In the independently published debut, Justin takes an analytical and opinionated look at the professional sports industry in Canada and the US and uses economics to tackle debates while incorporating humour and personal anecdotes. Sports Are Worth How Much!? And Other Questions in Pro Sports, Answered (Kind Of) is available from amazon

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partnerships

Launching Indigenous Entrepreneurs the aboriginal canadian entrepreneurs (ace) program, a partnership with tricorp and the peter B. gustavson school of Business, helps indigenous students create new businesses By anja karadeglija

r. Frank Parnell, CEO of the Prince Rupert-based Tribal Resources Investment Corporation (TRICORP), had a vision. e idea was to provide community-tailored and culturally appropriate business education for Indigenous people to promote their full participation in the Canadian economy through business ownership. Little did the member of the Haida Nation know that five years later this vision would manifest as an international award-winning entrepreneurship program that fuels innovation. Since it started up in 2013, the Aboriginal Canadian Entrepreneurs (ACE) Program (www.iamace.ca)—developed in partnership by TRICORP and the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria—has graduated 275 participants in 18 cohorts, with representatives from 26 Indigenous communities in BC. e program’s curriculum design bridges Indigenous culture with entrepreneurship. It’s a combination of experiential learning, visual learning, coaching and mentoring. Many of the program alumni are making waves, such as Ben Davidson, a 2014 graduate who owns and operates All About U Arts, a gallery on Haida Gwaii that he created on the site of his former studio. Davidson transformed the space inside a derelict building into a modern gallery to showcase his work. He now displays and sells his own pieces, marking an important step forward for his business. “As an artist, I’m excited to see the idea of an ACE for Artists program become a reality. In 2014 when I was taking the ACE program, I had already started my own business. I soon realized that I had done many things the hard way or the wrong way,” says Davidson. “rough the ACE program I learned to delegate and build a good team as well as create multiple revenue streams with my art. It’s a very beneficial course.” As a result of his innovative work, Davidson won the annual British Columbia Creative Achievement Award for First Nations’ Art from the BC Achievement Foundation. In October 2017, he was recognized at the ninth annual BC Aboriginal Business Awards. Perhaps the most powerful indicator of the program’s success is that over the last five years, more than 70 new businesses have launched in the graduates’ home territories. ese businesses have flourished and created jobs in these communities. Other graduates have continued their education or are employed in a field related to the business plans they created in the ACE program. “We’re proud of the ACE program and the difference it is making in the lives of our people and in the economic selfreliance of our Indigenous communities,” says Parnell. “e many awards that the program and its graduates have received

UVIc Photo SERVIcES

frank parnell (hon. lld ’16), cEo of tribal Resources Investment corporation (left) worked with dr. Brent mainprize (MbA ’98 ) to create the Aboriginal canadian Entrepreneurs (AcE) Program.

recognize the innovation and validate the power in partnership, where we work together and learn from each other.” e ACE approach was developed in partnership with TRICORP and a team of professors from the Gustavson School of Business led by Dr. Brent Mainprize. e program has managed to balance cutting-edge concepts with practical experiential learning, all while exploring entrepreneurship in a culturally appropriate way. Key innovations include bringing the university to the community; enabling entrepreneurs to tap into local economic opportunities and strengthen their community; integration of Indigenous cultural elements into the curriculum; and expanding students’ experiences beyond the preparation of a business plan to encompass collaboration, social innovation and positive cultural identity. Delivering university programming in small or remote communities can present a number of challenges. Luckily, thanks to local program managers like corY stephens (BCom ’96), who has roots in the Nisga’a and Tsimshian Nations, the ACE program operates with eﬀective community and cultural integration. “Our graduating students have consistently oﬀered deep appreciation for the learning opportunity provided by Gustavson and TRICORP and repeatedly express gratitude for a new way of envisioning and taking advantage of opportunities in Northern BC,” explains Stephens. “e program has truly changed lives.” e ACE Program recently received a $1 million donation from the Bank of Montreal to support the BMO Aboriginal Canadian Entrepreneurship Catalyst Fund. e fund will be used to foster Indigenous economic development through the expansion of the ACE Program. Additional funds of $250,000 were also provided to the catalyst fund by Tim and Frances Price, paving the way for more success stories in the future. T

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Game Changers Meet the innovators, seven dynamic members of the University of Victoria community who are here on campus—or out in the world— leading and making a diﬀerence in their diverse ﬁelds.

they are Jc fraser, general manager of the Vancouver canadians baseball club; health information science expert elizabeth Borycki; child and youth care prof sandrina de finney; chemist fraser hof; engineer chris kennedy; tech company founder patrick mcfadden; and holocaust educator helga thorson.

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the game changer

As general manager of the Vancouver canadians UVic grad Jc fraser has dramatically increased seating and boosted attendance at the ballpark.

Play Bold Jc fraser made strategic moves to improve the fan experience and re-energize the vancouver canadians BY tom hawthorn

n game days, you will find JC Fraser greeting fans with a handshake at Nat Bailey Stadium in Vancouver, arguably the prettiest ball park in the land. He will grab a seat in the grandstand to listen to fan opinions about concession food, parking and ticket prices. “JC is affable and service-oriented,” says Ernest (Kit) Krieger, a season-ticket holder. Fraser, 36, is general manager of the Vancouver Canadians, a professional minor-league baseball team affiliated with the Toronto Blue Jays. Fraser is responsible for finding sponsors and filling seats at the 67-year-old stadium. Last season, the club sold 98 percent of their tickets. “Little room for growth,” Fraser acknowledges. “In my 11 years with the team, we’ve never shown a trend in the wrong direction, whether that be revenue or attendance.” Fraser was named executive of the year in the Northwest League in 2015 and one of the Top 40 Under 40 by Business in Vancouver magazine last year. ose are heady achievements for a business-oriented student who graduated from the University of Victoria (BA ’04) by specializing in—“of all things,” he says—French history. John Campbell Fraser III grew up in Vancouver, the youngest of three children born to a mother who raised funds for a private school and a father who specialized in property law. He played catcher for the Kerrisdale Sea Lions Little League team. After high school, he decided on a whim to register at the University of Victoria. e Napoleonic era became a passion after he was inspired by professor Dr. Rob Alexander, who remembers Fraser favourably as a student “who wasn’t shy about speaking in seminars.” When not in class, Fraser operated a house-painting franchise. After graduation, he worked in Australia as a diving

gEoff hoWE

instructor before travelling through Southeast Asia and on to India and Nepal. He returned to Vancouver and was installing home gyms when his father suggested he apply for an internship at the Canadians. e club had recently been purchased by Jake Kerr, who founded a forestry company, and Jeff Moody, an executive with the A&W hamburger chain. e new owners hired American baseball executive Andy Dunn to be president. Dunn changed the club’s target audience from young, beerdrinking men to families seeking affordable entertainment. One day, Dunn pulled out a napkin on which he sketched out additional seating at the cramped park. Fraser was put in charge of the project, which was completed on time and on budget though he was at times overwhelmed by dual offseason responsibilities in building a grandstand as well as a team. e hey y’all! Porch, named after a sponsoring hard iced tea, and other changes brought the capacity of the ball park from 5,132 to 6,413 seats. is summer Fraser will strive to sell the two per cent of seats surrounding Scotiabank Field that went unoccupied last season. Meanwhile, Fraser and his wife Felicia are raising two preschool boys—becoming his own target audience. As if life isn’t busy enough, he’s also working on a Masters of Business Administration at Simon Fraser University. While some business students might balk at writing a six-page essay, Fraser is comfortable putting thoughts on paper. “I found an application for my degree,” he says with a laugh. T tom hawthorn was the 2014 harvey s. southam lecturer in Journalism and nonfiction in the department of writing. fraser’s top ballparks snacks: 1 hot dog 2 peanuts 3 sunflower seeds

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the game changer

Better Health through Science elizabeth Borycki designs health information technologies that improve patient care and safety BY kate hildeBrandt

r. Elizabeth Borycki was interested in health informatics long before the science had a name. Now she teaches, researches, consults and publishes on the science of designing, developing and managing digitized health systems, technologies and data. Borycki, a professor with the University of Victoria’s School of Health Information Science, is recognized around the world as a leading health informatics researcher, scholar and innovator. In 2008, Borycki co-created the ﬁrst double degree graduate program in Nursing and Health Informatics in Canada. In doing so, she promoted the ﬁrst nursing-informatics program in our country. Unlike other technology-focused areas of study, the majority of Health Information Science students at UVic are female. “Many of our students are interested in revolutionizing health care using health information technologies designed, developed and implemented to improve patient health,” says Borycki. e School of Health Information Science at UVic is currently educating the largest intake of undergrads in the school’s 36-year history. Health-information technology is digitizing healthcare. Patients, health professionals and care services are moving online and becoming more accessible. Borycki develops and designs best practices and shares that knowledge with her informatics students, researchers, administrators and policy makers worldwide. at’s one reason the school attracts high interest locally and globally, graduating desirable professionals to forge new advances in settings where health-information technologies are used to improve health care. Borycki represents Canada on behalf of the International Medical Informatics Association and travels internationally to educate health information technology professionals and pol-

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dr. elizaBeth BorYcki says it’s a great time to be a student of health Information Science.

icymakers about best practices developed at UVic. “I disseminate this knowledge globally so that we can improve healthinformation technology and improve patient safety.” Her key interests include developing new ways to educate students for a work world of constant technological change as well as deﬁning the many clinical applications which, in turn, advance patient safety. e reach of her work is global, yet its impact can be felt at the student level. “In Denmark, patients are able to view their health information online, book appointments with health professionals and take an active role in their care using tools developed by health information technology professionals,” she explains. “Countries, including Canada, are running pilot projects to test patient portals and mobile applications right now.” Having been on the frontline of health informatics for more than 20 years, Borycki sees the future for this sector as one of optimal growth, innovation and stable employment. Close to 100 per cent of graduates are working, enjoying excellent salaries and stimulating work while remaining in high demand. “As technology advances, there is more we can do, and so much more to know,” says Borycki, who was honoured as one of the top 10 Canadian women in digital health by Digital Health Canada. “is means it’s a great time to be a student of Health Information Science. T

three books on borycki’s nightstand: 1 To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System, institute of medicine 2 Improving Diagnosis in Health Care, Quality chasm, institute of medicine 3 The Human Factor: Revolutionizing the Way People Live with Technology, kim J. vicente

gREg MIllER

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the game changer

Cultural Connection dr. sandrina de finney brings cultural identity into the classroom through research projects such as sisters rising BY Brad BUie, Ba ’99

hantal Adams recalls her first encounter with Sandrina de Finney (BA ’00, PhD ’07), an associate professor at the University of Victoria’s School of Child and Youth Care. Adams was a first-year student when De Finney and a master’s student visited one of Adams’ classes: they spoke about their work with Indigenous children and families, sang and drummed and discussed the concept of intersectionality: how forms of oppression such as sexism, racism and colonialism are interdependent. “She came at a time when I felt disconnected,” says Adams, who is of Haida and European ancestry. “I was still holding my culture in to keep it protected. eir songs hit a place in me where I longed for connection.” Adams’ reflections on her community and identity led her into the Indigenous specialization in Child and Youth Care and then to become a research facilitator with de Finney on an ongoing project called Sisters Rising, an Indigenous-led research study to support Indigenous responses to high rates of sexualized violence. (Find out more at www.sistersrising. uvic.ca/.) Meeting the needs of students like Adams is at the heart of de Finney’s teaching. “We support students to bring their ancestral knowledges into their education and research projects, to hold them at the centre of their education, so they don’t experience as much the sense of incongruence between multiple worldviews.” In her research, de Finney also emphasizes community vision and need. “Our community-based approach to scholarship is in many ways a return to the ancient and wise ways of knowing that have always sustained Indigenous communities,” she says. “ese knowledges are generative, contemporary and vibrant.” e Sisters Rising research project is one example of such work. e project supports the wellbeing and dignity of Indigenous girls and youth by listening to and recording their experiences and their stories of resistance and strength. ese experiences are often conveyed through art, storytelling and

gREg MIllER

In her work at UVic, sandrina de finneY draws on over two decades of experience as a community activist, researcher, trainer and youth worker.

culturally grounded practices. Adams contributed to this research by producing a 20minute film about her 2017 visit to Haida Gwaii. ere, she interviewed local women on the topic of land and body. e film interweaves stunning footage of Haida Gwaii’s shorelines and forests—both intact and clearcut—with these interviews. In the film, Adams draws a link between “land sovereignty” and “body sovereignty.” Adams and fellow student Shezell Rae Sam also presented their work as featured speakers at a national conference in Toronto. “I see how the land can be held as sacred, and I see how the land can be treated as an object to be violated,” says Adams in the film’s voiceover. “I see how Indigenous bodies can be treated in these same ways. e women Adams interviews span generations. In one scene, Adams’ aunt, Alice Montjoy, or Killer Whale Woman, and friend, Terri Russ, or Yappy Bird, forage for red huckleberries in the rainforest. “I am happy to see when all the young women are out berry picking,” says Montjoy in the film. “Our grandmothers and great-grandmothers and generations back all picked the berries and cared for the land.” In another scene, a young woman, Jordan Stewart, underscores this relationship with the land: “I love the island, I love the beaches… I find it healing for the stuff I’ve been through.” roughout the film and in other research pieces produced for Sisters Rising, the concepts of consent and respect are prominent: consent and respect between individuals, between people and the land, and between the researchers themselves and the communities. “With Sisters Rising we’ve been able to follow good protocols,” says de Finney. “e students are not jeopardizing their ethics. ey are getting support from their communities and Elders.” T de finney shares three songs that move her: 1 “vivir sin aire” by maná 2 “Broken arrow” by robbie robertson 3 “au bord du lac Bijou” by zachary richard

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the game changer

Teaching Creative Chemistry University of victoria chemist fraser hof sparks a passion for learning in his students BY Brad BUie, Ba ‘99

raser Hof has held fast to his joy of discovery. “I’ve never lost the spirit of just trying stuff out,” says Dr. Hof, Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Canada Research Chair in Supramolecular and Medicinal Chemistry. e sentiment applies equally to his classroom and his lab. Hof gives his third- and fourth-year undergraduate organic chemistry students original, cutting-edge research literature to study. And he sets high standards for them. “You should be able to read an article, interpret it, tell me something intelligent about it,” says Hof, “And at the highest level of understanding, create the next experiment or idea.” Students respond with enthusiasm. ey come to class prepared to tackle the tough problems presented in the research papers. ey teach each other and learn together in teams. Hof then asks them to search online for papers in which scientists are using similar techniques. “I really need them to avoid the expectation that learning is whatever is delivered in class,” says Hof. “When they go out into society and the workplace, they’ll need to find knowledge themselves. Nobody gives you a textbook for life.” For undergraduate students eager for more, Hof provides opportunities to do research in his lab. Over 100 undergraduates have taken him up on his offer. Hof tries to include all students who are interested. “e only limit is the capacity. For me, it’s never about GPA.” Hof’s motivation derives from his own struggle as an undergraduate. At age 18, he was seeking a summer job in a lab. He was turned down by a dozen professors before one finally agreed to take him on. He admits he began as a bad chemist. “I broke things, I spilled things, I did dangerous things,” he recalls, “but I loved every minute of it. en the summer after

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dr. fraser hof at work in the lab with student sarah khan.

that I was less dangerous and I did get to be a good chemist.” While not romanticizing research, Hof’s passion for the process is evident. “Real research is hard,” explains Hof. “Unlike prefabricated experiments that teach you basic techniques, real research teaches you what to do when they fail.” Hof has a set structure for apprenticeship in his lab. Undergraduate students spend the first semester doing basic chemistry steps that help other people’s projects. In the second semester, they think about what projects they want to pursue. en, once they have acquired the basic skills of research (which differ from the technical steps in chemistry) they’re running their own research projects with increasingly less connection to the graduate students. “e graduate students are the backbone of the lab,” Hof says. “But I’ve had undergraduates publish as first authors.” Sarah Khan, a 3M National Student Fellow and undergraduate student, worked in Hof’s lab on a drug designed to fight prostate cancer. “I learned the importance of creativity in the research environment,” says Khan. “We met regularly as the 20-member lab group and in smaller groups to collectively brainstorm ideas. Fraser attended every meeting, always emphasizing teamwork and communication.” Indeed, Hof will debate the merits of an idea with his students. When they are passionate and undeterred, he always urges them to go ahead. Sometimes they come back and plunk a successful sample on his desk. “e best moments are when the students prove me wrong,” Hof says, grinning proudly. T

three athletes hof admires: 1 kelly Buchberger—hockey player, now coach, formerly of the edmonton oilers 2 mesut Özil—arsenal f.c. soccer star 3 arjen robben—dutch professional soccer player

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the game changer

Building a Greener Engineer University of victoria’s civil engineering program is teaching grads to see projects through a green lens BY Brad BUie, Ba ’99

he University of Victoria’s Civil Engineering department has a lofty aim: to be the greenest program of its kind in Canada. Demand—and need—for the program is high. “e average age of a civil engineer in BC is 50 years old,” says Dr. Chris Kennedy, chair of the department, which launched in 2016. “ere are three jobs for every civil engineer, so there is a legitimate need.” While its graduates are in high demand, the decision to devote the program to green pursuits stems from a global urgency. “Scientists believe a sixth mass extinction in Earth’s history may be under way,” says Kennedy. “Engineers are so far away from relating their activities to that challenge. Because we are the ones building the manufactured capital, we must address it.” Students in the program learn about different systems, including ecosystems. For example, they may learn how to quantify biodiversity and then how to engineer for its conservation. Kennedy cites the wildlife overpasses and underpasses on the Trans-Canada Highway through Alberta as just one example of an engineering solution to a conflict between environment and development. “It’s a deep approach,” explains Kennedy, “And the combination of our faculty is what makes the program so exciting.” e department is close to its goal of hiring 15 faculty members. In addition to fundamental engineering knowledge, they collectively possess expertise in groundwater and geotechnical systems, innovative construction materials, energy-efficient buildings, steel and timber structures, infrastructure system modeling and water and wastewater treatment. e faculty recently met with an architect and the university’s Facilities Management to envision a potential building expansion. “e standard for a university structure was formerly a LEED Gold building, which is what the government used to dictate,” says Kennedy, referring to the Leadership in

chris kennedY, chair of civil Engineering, leads a department with a mission to reduce environmental impacts from climate change.

Energy and Environmental Design distinction. “But we’re way beyond that. We’re looking at beyond net zero.” Kennedy’s own expertise is as an industrial ecologist. He studies resource use in society. “We’re like economists except instead of dollars and cents, we use kilograms and joules,” he explains. “On the applied side, we want to change energy and material flows to reduce the environmental impact, not only carbon but also biodiversity loss.” Specifically, Kennedy analyzes the flows of materials and energy in a city, what’s known as urban metabolism. In one exercise, he gives his students data on a megacity’s physical flows: gasoline, natural gas, aviation fuel, electricity, industrial production and waste. From these flows, students calculate the greenhouse gas inventory. Kennedy helped establish this methodology for the United Nations and the World Bank. Kennedy uses this data along with other information— such as the city’s density and wealth—to ask what strategies cities should use to reduce their emissions. “Driving an electric car in BC might be a good idea,” suggests Kennedy, noting the province’s formidable hydroelectric power. “But not so much in Alberta where you’re transferring emissions from tailpipe to smokestack.” Graduates of UVic’s Civil Engineering program will be characterized by their ability to understand context. “It’s a marriage between the systems-level understanding of society and the environment with engineering skills,” says Kennedy. “To know, for example, the difference between a timber versus a concrete structure—how to engineer both and understand the carbon calculation on each and not just take it on face value.” T kennedy’s three green engineering ideas to benefit Victoria: 1 electrify everything (i.e. replace fossil fuel powered engines and furnaces with electric motors) 2 “capture resources from our waste streams (e.g. new wastewater treatment plant) 3 stop using carbon-based forms of cement

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the game changer

Dynamic Duo iris dynamics, a technology company founded by former University of victoria students, specializes in real-feel robotics

patrick mcfadden in the Victoria headquarters of IRIS dynamics, a company producing innovative motion-control products.

Brad BUie, Ba ’99

atrick McFadden and Kyle Hagen already had a lot in common. ey both attended the University of Victoria and both were pilots. en, in 2012, they teamed up for an exciting project: to build a flight simulator at the Victoria International Airport for their employer (a now-defunct company). When they got to building controls—or yokes as they are known on aircraft—the duo were striving for a certain certification standard. Off-the-shelf force feedback yokes were too expensive. ey began thinking how they could build them cheaper and perhaps make them better. ey landed on an elegant solution: abandon machine parts like cogs and gears in favour of the push and pull of magnetic forces. McFadden (BA ’08) and Hagen independently co-founded Iris Dynamics and launched a Kickstarter campaign in 2013 to develop this unique human-machine interface. Now, five years later, they have a bustling office on Quadra Street and a growing number of projects and partners. ey have seven employees, two of whom are UVic students pursuing engineering degrees. “e tie in with UVic is great. We’re able to pull in some very talented people, both professors and students, for work terms and research.” Iris Dynamics made their first commercial sale to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, better known as NASA. ey provided NASA with a flight yoke that was used to collect pilot data as part of a study to test the effectiveness of various human-machine interface designs. Lockheed Martin and Boeing followed as customers. Iris Dynamics has also shipped simulator units to the Victoria Flying Club and the Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron. “For me, it feels full circle to help up-and-coming pilots since I learned to fly as an air cadet,” says Hagen. What makes their technology unique and in demand is that it allows the human to feel—rather than merely observe—what is occurring in the operation of the machine. In their Victoria office, McFadden and Hagen demonstrate with one of their devices: their Magnetic Suspension Joystick.

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Hagen adjusts dials as you manipulate the joystick. One moment you feel you are stirring molasses and the next you are clunking through the gears of a five-speed transmission. Inside the box is one moving part: the magnetic base of the joystick suspended among four electromagnetic copper coils. Modulated by software algorithms, the coils’ magnetic fields exert precise forces on the stick. ere are as many sensations as there are algorithms—and the algorithms are only limited by the imagination of engineers. As the joystick floats and glides within an electromagnetic field, the system operates silently, reliably and—key to their business model—cheaply. And the realistic, precision feedback is vital for applications, particularly for safety. “Tactile information actually feeds back to the brain faster than visual or auditory information,” explains McFadden. “at’s why aircraft have ‘stick shakers’ to get a pilot’s attention when a stall is imminent. Fly-by-wire has removed pilots from the feel of the aircraft.” eir technology returns the “feel” to the operator, such as changing wind over an aircraft’s wings, explains Hagen: “e big value is that it builds muscle memory, which is important for a pilot who must also focus on navigation and communication.” At the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, automotive industry attendees kept returning to Iris Dynamics exhibit. “e question of whether the car of the future will be fully autonomous or semi-autonomous has not been answered yet,” observes McFadden. “A joystick may replace the steering wheel as the interface.” Potential applications for their ideas include remotelyoperated vehicles, heavy equipment, industrial automation and healthcare. e team is currently focused on finding the right partners to help them enter these fields. T

Mcfadden lists three of his top board games: 1 dungeons and dragons 2 cards against humanity 3 risk

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the game changer

Where Education Meets Emotion helga thorson helps students learn about the past and its relevance to the present BY Brad BUie, Ba ’99

elga orson is familiar with students feeling fazed at the end of four weeks of study of the Holocaust and its memorialization. Since 2011, she has led students at the I-witness Field School. Students are totally immersed in the material without distraction, which separates the field school experience from the classroom. en there is the subject matter: the Holocaust and humanity’s immense responsibility to remember, even as those with first-hand knowledge are passing on. “You come to the subject matter from an intellectual perspective but also on an emotional level,” says Dr. orson, Associate Professor and Chair of German and Slavic Studies. “When you put those things together, it makes the educational difference.” “roughout the duration of this course we have made memories around memories,” a student blogged on the final day of the 2016 I-witness Field School. “Oh my, what does this mean for the layers of history and the layers of memory we have studied?” e first week of the field school takes place at UVic. Students discuss assigned readings and each chooses a memorial site that they will guide their classmates through. orson also arranges for Holocaust survivors from the community to meet with the group. After gaining the knowledge from secondary and precious first-hand sources, the students then travel to Central Europe—Berlin, Krakow, Budapest, Vienna and Linz—to spend three weeks exploring Holocaust sites, museums and monuments. e students learn about the past and its relevance to the present. ey acquire an understanding of hatred and its consequences in the stages of genocide. ey meet with fellow students from Europe and discuss their relationship to the Holocaust—what they learned or didn’t learn in school or

dr. helga thorson immerses students in the study of the holocaust at her I-witness field School.

from their families, and how their relationship to the Holocaust changes over time. “Students also become so much bolder as researchers,” says orson. “Having been to these sites, they feel conﬁdent disagreeing with the authors on their reading list.” On their return to Canada, students must give a public presentation on their experience. For orson, it is important that the knowledge is shared with the public, including the Jewish community and donors who help with students’ travel costs. Students often express a commitment to keep the memory of their experience alive and act on it in some way. For example, orson and some students have begun a digital mapping project to track the fates of Jewish residents of a single street, Servitengasse, in Vienna in 1938 when Nazi Germany occupied Austria. e project originated a few years ago with Vienna resident Barbara Kintaert who became curious about who had lived in her apartment building during that period. Undergraduate student Giorgia Ricciardi is part of the team diligently recording these stories. She will participate in the Iwitness Field School this year and serve as a guide to her cohort when they visit Servitengasse. After completing her undergraduate degree, Ricciardi will continue on into UVic’s new master’s stream in Holocaust Studies, the only one of its kind in Canada. “I believe that knowledge on the Holocaust is crucial in combating the hatred we see all around us today,” says Ricciardi. “I plan on using what I learn in order to educate and inspire those around me to stand against hatred.” T

three historical sites thorson recommends for a visit: 1 the weissensee Jewish cemetery in Berlin, germany 2 the servitengasse in vienna, austria 3 the shoes on the danube Bank memorial site in Budapest, hungary

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the change-Up

e Ice-Cream Man we proﬁle Uvic alumni who recently made a bold life change

Name: daniel edler, founder of 49 Below Artisan Ice Cream Age: Below 49... Just kidding, I’m 34. Hometown: I was born in Linz, Austria and spent 14 years there, then moved to Victoria where I’ve lived ever since. UVic degree and year: I received a BSc with a double major in Biology and Germanic Studies in 2006. (e Below 49 logo features the Giant Paciﬁc octopus, a creature local to Victoria. It was in part inspired by my biology studies.) What I used to do: In 2007, I took a job as a Metadata Analyst with the BC government’s Integrated Land Management Bureau. Over the next few years, I advanced to various jobs, ultimately ending up as a Senior Spatial Data Administrator with DataBC. en I had the idea to: Get married, become a father and start an ice-cream business. Why I did it: ere are a several reasons why I made the switch. For one, I was no longer being challenged in my role. Every day ended up being more or less the same. I had no creative freedom, and I saw no opportunity to advance. I often walked through these mental exercises, one of which was fast forwarding 30 years. Would I be happy if I still did what I’m doing today? Would I be satisﬁed? In 2015, the answer was ‘No.’ How I did it: 49 Below Ice Cream started with a very lean business plan and the decision to start things in stages. Start small, grow and invest back into the company. I had limited time

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and limited capital to invest, so starting small was key. With that in mind, I decided to start the business as a subscription service. I could raise capital and invest it into the company on a monthly basis. Last year, we began selling a few of our staple ﬂavours in grocery stores and at local markets. All the while, we did everything to keep our costs low. We share a commercial kitchen rather than renting space of our own. We advertise using social media. We deliver our own pints instead of having a distributor. What I love about my new life: Starting your own business (especially in the food sector) is a time-consuming endeavour that requires you to get good at jumping through hoops. ere are a lot of sleepless nights and early mornings, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. I’m in control of what we do and when we do it, and it gives me the freedom to spend more time with my wife and children. e other thing I love is when I’m wearing a 49 Below T-shirt and people come up and tell me that they have tasted 49 Below ice cream and they LOVE IT!

met so many wonderful people in the Victoria food scene that have been amazing. If I can only name one, I will go with my wife, Erin (BSc ’01). She has been nothing but supportive and a great sounding board for me. I couldn’t do it without her. One trade secret: Don’t produce and distribute a ﬂavour before having completed extensive R&D. Where to ﬁnd me: Sign up for our ice cream subscription at 49below.ca or follow us @49below. Find our pints at Pepper’s Grocery and For Good Measure in Victoria—with more stores to come soon. T

What I miss about my old life: My coworkers and the pay cheque. One lesson learned: Don’t be scared to charge a premium price for a premium product. Making ice cream with seasonal and local ingredients in small batches comes with a cost and there is a reason why most mass-produced ice cream in grocery stores costs what it does. One person who helped me: I have

tEgAn McMARtIn

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giving Back

Support for Women Economists after retiring from her work as a senior executive with transalta, cynthia Johnston (ma, econ ’86) reconnected with the University of victoria to a create a women in economics graduate scholarship. we recently asked her about the legacy project.

cYnthia Johnston says setting goals for the scholarship has helped the group meet their objectives.

the idea: I wanted to unite with like-minded female economics alumni to create a Women in Economics Graduate Scholarship to help future students.

the inspiration: Women are generally under-represented in economics, but I was fortunate to work with several strong women in the energy sector who also had graduate degrees in economics. Working with these women has inspired me to ensure we give more women the opportunity, support and encouragement to pursue a career that starts with a graduate degree in economics. If we can enhance the reputation of UVic’s graduate program and attract more women to it, that’s an added benefit. I received the Phillips, Hager and North Graduate award in 1985 so knew firsthand the impact a scholarship could have. Not only did it support me financially, it gave me confidence to complete the program and springboard into a career in the energy sector.

how we did it: As the new Women in Economics Affinity Group was evolving, a subset formed a scholarship committee. First of all, we secured our founding backers. We garnered the support of a pool of donors—with 100% participation from members of the affinity group—before we cast the net wider. We had the short-term goal of awarding a minimum of $1,000 to the first student in the fall of 2018. We knew we

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needed at least $26,000 ($25,000 to endow the scholarship, $1,000 for the ﬁrst award). Our group set a long-term goal of raising $150,000 for the endowment, creating an annual award of $6,000. We developed funding, marketing and communications plans to achieve our goals. Our team continues to meet on a regular basis to maintain momentum and keep on track.

what we accomplished: We have raised over $27,000 to date. We got approval for the award from the UVic Senate in the fall of 2017. We will award our ﬁrst Women in Economics Graduate Scholarship later this year and have plans to accomplish our long-term goal.

lessons learned: A small, committed and like-minded team of people can accomplish what they set out to do! Working closely with the Alumni Relations staﬀ at UVic has been critical to our success. Setting goals and celebrating our collective successes along the way has kept us focused and passionate.

looking forward: We’re excited to award and celebrate our ﬁrst recipient. As chair of the committee, I intend to keep up the momentum to help us grow the scholarship to $150,000 so that we can award more scholarships to deserving women pursuing careers in economics. T

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alUmni life + class notes

hoopsters Unite at vikes for life basketball superstars from years past and alumni supporters came out in force to cheer on the men’s and women’s teams as they battled the Ubc thunderbirds at the Vikes for life basketball night february 1st. More than 2,000 fans supported the Vikes at the event, which was part of 2018 Alumni Week festivities. Alumni are oﬀered special discounts and group rates for the yearly event.

Vikes women ballers from diﬀerent eras gathered a Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA) to watch the game at Vikes for Life. Clockwise: lUanne krawetz (holding a little future Vike); kim oslUnd; kim graves; cindY cUllen and lindsaY Brooke.

Vikes men’s basketball alumni and supporters stand tall together before the big game. Front row; left to right: clint hamilton, skip cronck, roBBie parris, gord hoshal, and phil ohl. Back row; left to right: JerrY divokY, James newman, dave mUlcahY, ted anderson, ken shields, gerald kazanowski, eli pasQUale, ian hYdelaY, chris maclean, and Josh elsdon.

Music Grad wins Excellence in the Performing Arts Prize composer rodneY sharman, an alumnus of the University of Victoria School of Music, has received the $50,000 Walter carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts. Awarded by the canada council for the Arts, the Walter carsen Prize recognizes the highest level of artistic excellence and distinguished career achievements by a canadian professional artist in music, theatre, or dance. the prize is only awarded to musicians once every four years.

VIkES PhotoS by ARMAndo tURA. RodnEy ShARMAn Photo © bEllE AncEll.

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Meet our 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award Winners continuing Studies; dr. ian coUrtice, bSc ’80 (Microbiology) – division of Medical Sciences; andrée lacasse, bcyc ’14 – human and Social development; tamara napoleon, llb ’07, bA ’04 (Writing) – humanities; JUlie angUs, MSc ’01 (biology) – UVic libraries. Back row, left to right: carli kennedY, bMus ’08 – fine Arts; JUlie kennedY, bMus ’08 – fine Arts; dr. darYll harrison, bSc ’81 Front row, left to right: dr. marinos stYlianoU,

Phd ’93 (Mechanical Engineering) – Engineering; lUcY Bell, cert ’13 & MA ’16 (Indigenous language), dipl ’16 (cultural Resource Management, partnered program of continuing Studies & fine Arts) – division of

(chemistry); Phd ’87 (chemistry) – Science; rY moran, bA ’02 (Political Science) – Social Sciences; mike corrigan, MbA ’00 – gustavson School of business; merle alexander, llb ’99, bA ’94 (Political Science) – law; JefferY hopkins, bA ’91 (English) – Education.

Bike device a winner A pack created by a University of Victoria student that gives cyclists a boost as they pedal uphill was one of the winners of the Smart South Island open Innovation challenge. simon park invented a small bicycle trailer called “caboost” that clips onto a bike to provide electric drive assistance. two UVic alumni also won for their innovations. derek JacoBY (MA ’11, Phd ’16) won for “naloxone Pal,” an app that connects helpers who have overdose kits. matthew kemshaw (bA ’08) came up with technology to support productive fruit trees in urban areas. All three won $15,000 to pursue their ideas.

events July

September

October

November

the Body and the page in victorian culture

class of ’68

conference on language and essence

fall convocation

an international conference held at Uvic July 26 – 28

August

50-year reunion september 21

vikes championship Breakfast september 25

hosted by the canadian metaphysics collaborative and Uvic october 5 – 7

Uvic golf classic

campus alumni appie hour

august 1

october 25

vancouver canadians Baseball game

victoria college alumni chapter spring social luncheon

alumni & friends event august 27 | vancouver

november 13, 14

Please check alumni.uvic.ca (Attend an Event page) for further details and listings of other events organized in the various regions and by alumni networks, chapters and faculties.

october 29 dAA WInnERS Photo by gEoff hoWE

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alUmni life

A Week in Pictures this year’s alumni week, which ran from february 1 – 7, was a smashing success with insightful speakers, meaningful award ceremonies, great food and festivities and fascinating guests. here are just a few highlights from the week. photography by geoﬀ howe

Alumni-award winner lucy Bell (MA ‘16, dipl ‘16, cert ‘13) was honoured by continuing Studies. A member of the haida nation, she gave part of her acceptance speech in haida.

the campus kick-oﬀ feb. 1 at the University of Victoria Welcome centre included photo fun, snacks and a chance for the university’s many alumni employees to connect, including (l to R) Jennifer sandmaier, dana kritsch, Jenelle murray and moses mukasa from the University of Victoria’s development oﬃce.

on feb. 5, the 2018 UVic distinguished Alumni Awards took place at the stunning Songhees Wellness centre to celebrate the accomplishments of 13 outstanding UVic grads.

dr. catherine krull, dean of Social Sciences, shelagh rogers, alumni award recipient ry moran (bA ‘02) and UVic President Jamie cassels at the event.

shelagh rogers engaged daniel siebert (bfA ’98), author of The Digital Diet and a former google executive, in a lively discussion about everything from his childhood pizza business to the perils of tech addiction.

Julie (with ﬁddle) and carli kennedy (bMus ‘08), who perform as twin kennedy, lit up the stage with an acoustic evening at felicita’s campus Pub on feb. 7. Earlier in the week the sisters each received distinguished Alumni Awards. Award-night emcee and UVic chancellor shelagh rogers, dean of Sciences robert lipson, and award recipient daryll harrison (Phd ‘87, bSc ‘81) shared a laugh.

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TOP OFF CONVOCATION DAY WITH

FRAMES & ROSES DIPLOMA FRAMES Wide selection / Highest quality wood or metal frames / Acid-free mattes emblazoned with the university crest / No wires, no screws, or complicated assembly / Made in Canada Pre-order: uvicbookstore.ca / 250-721-8311 Available in the University Centre at Convocation.

ROSES

Proceeds support campus service projects led by the UVic Student Ambassadors, an affiliate of the UVic Alumni Association.

Great value / Wide selection of colours Convenient, on campus service Available in the University Centre at Convocation.

SAVE with pride when you show your USE IT FOR SAVINGS FROM…  Cinecenta  Contiki Holidays  IMAX Victoria  Monk Office  Optics International  Royal BC Museum  Softmoc Shoes  The Robert Bateman Centre

 University Centre Farquhar Auditorium  UVic Bookstore  UVic Food Services  Victoria Harbourcats  9 Elements Spa & Reflexology  and more…

Pick up your lifetime UVic Alumni ONECard for $20 from the ONECard Office in University Centre. Bring your student number and one piece of government issued photo ID with you.

(Vancouver) Get active and look great while you save 15% with your UVic Alumni ONECard.

See the full list of 50+ card partners at alumni.uvic.ca

If you live outside of Victoria, email onecard@uvic.ca for more information. Get updates on the UVic ONECard at uvic.ca/onecard

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Class Notes news and photos from around the alumni world

1970’s cleve dheensaw, bEd ’79, was honoured with the 2016-2017 fred “gus” collins Award and the prestigious national fred Sgambati Media Award. the Times-Colonist reporter has chronicled varsity sports all over canada and has covered a combined nine olympic, commonwealth and Pan Am games since 1981.

1980’s dorothY hawes, bA ’80, MA ’82, teaching certiﬁcate ’89, became an English teacher at St. Michaels University School. In May 2016, Promontory Press released her ﬁrst children’s book titled Ogopogo Odyssey. the book is based on dorothy’s childhood experiences growing up in the okanagan Valley and is about a boy who has a chance encounter with the famous mythical lake creature known as the ogopogo. James laskin, bSc ’83 (human Performance), has been a faculty member at the University of Montana since 1998 and was promoted to Professor of Physical therapy. After being awarded the fulbright ASEAn Research Program Scholarship, James accepted a Sabbatical for the 2017-2018 academic year and travelled to bangkok, thailand where he worked to establish open communications and cooperative relationships in laos and thailand. he worked at Mahidol University in the college of Sports Science and technology and the School of Physical

therapy. he also worked in the faculty of Rehabilitation at Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw. JoY thierrY llewellYn, bA ’88 (Major in creative Writing), recently retired from teaching at the Vancouver film School and moved to china for four months to teach screenwriting at Shanghai Vancouver film School at Shanghai University. the experience was fun, challenging, and successful, thanks in part to the patient and helpful classroom translator. “I had to think on my feet, tweak my teaching material, and get comfortable with long stretches of waiting while translations went back and forth,” says Joy. She also had to learn to navigate a city of 24 million with 13 subway systems and to wear a mask on the days the Air Quality Index was over 150. Joy lives and writes full-time on Pender Island. garY pearson, bfA ’80, recently retired from his position as Associate Professor in fine Arts at the University of british columbia okanagan campus (Ubco), in kelowna. he enjoyed a 26-year teaching career in kelowna, ﬁrst at okanagan University college, and from 2005 on at Ubco. he continues to be active in his art and writing career and was the subject of a major monograph exhibition at the kelowna Art gallery. the exhibition Gary Pearson: Short Fictions is accompanied by a book by black dog Publishing, london. In 2017, he was elected into the canadian Academy of Arts.

1990’s kathleen cherrY, MEd ’95 (counselling), is a school psychologist in kitimat, bc. her second children’s book, Everyday Hero, about life from the perspective of young Alice who has Asperger’s syndrome, was published by orca books in March 2016. It garnered positive reviews and was shortlisted for several awards. kathleen participated in the book Award tour of northern bc with Adele barclay, author of If I were in a Cage I’d Reach Out for You and also the forest of Reading festival in toronto and Sault Ste. Marie.

anita dolman, bA ’99 (Anthropology), launched her debut short fiction collection, Lost Enough, in April 2017 with Morning Rain Publishing. her poetry and fiction have appeared in journals and anthologies throughout canada and the United States. Anita also authored two poetry chapbooks and was a finalist for the 2015 Alberta Magazine Award for fiction.

kathleen cherrY anita dolman laUra k. davis, bA ’93, MA ’98 (English), Phd, is a tenured faculty member at Red deer college, Alberta, where she teaches canadian literature and Writing Studies in the English program. her book, Margaret Laurence Writes Africa and

laUra davis

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Canada, was published in 2017 by Wilfrid laurier University Press. the book examines how laurence addresses decolonization and nation building in 1950s Somalia and ghana, and 1960s and 1970s English canada.

rick mesich, bEd ’92, was recently recognized as one of canada’s outstanding Principals 2018 for his demonstration of commitment to public education. Rick, who enabled a wheelchairbound Syrian refugee student to join her class on a canoeing trip, is highly regarded for building a strong learning community that fosters mutual respect, acceptance, co-operation, inclusion and empowerment. Rick currently leads Seaquam Secondary School in delta, bc. Each year, the winners of canada’s outstanding Principals

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rick mesich become members of a national Academy of Principals. Rick received his award at an event in toronto hosted by the learning Partnership, a non-profit organization supporting publicly funded education outcomes. BoB wakUlich, bfA ’96, won the 2017 big Pond Rumours Press (Sarnia, on) chapbook contest with his collection, Channeling the Masters, a series of humorous poems about contemporary issues written in the style of a variety of famous dead authors, from Allen ginsberg to Anton chekhov. copies of the chapbook can be ordered at www.bigpond-rumours.com. kJell wooding, bEng ’95 (computer Engineering), and his wife, Amy, lead learn leap fly, an ottawa-based group that develops literacy software. their multi-disciplinary team made it to the semi-finals of the $15-million global learning XPRIZE. the competition focuses on global literacy and new software that gives kids in developing countries the tools to teach themselves basic reading, writing and math. learn leap fly was among eleven (and the only canadian entrant) to reach the semi-finals. learn leap fly creates

story-based learning software for tablets and mobile devices.

telecommunications, media and technology.

2000’s

dr. rYan melsom, bA ’01 (English honours), MA, Phd (English), is a communications consultant in ottawa. his 2017 novel, Clickbait: A Seeker’s Guide to Meaning in the Modern World which focuses on six teenagers who are struggling to ﬁnd new purpose when their old lives fall apart, was launched in 2017 under his small press project, hintonburg + Page.

sarah hanel, bA ’04, is the director of global Public Relations at VASco data Security and has been elected President of the canadian Public Relations Society, a professional association dedicated to advancing the practice of public relations and communications in canada and regulating its practice for the beneﬁt of the public interest.

rYan melsom sarah hanel violetta kokolUs, llb ’03, has been named Special counsel and elected as partner of the global law ﬁrm in new york, dechert llP. She advises both the public and private sectors on the areas of intellectual property, IP and technology licensing and transactions, data privacy and cybersecurity, and

dr. stephen price, bEd, MEd ’00, Phd, was recently appointed dean of the faculty of health, community and Education at Mount Royal University in calgary, Alberta. Steve’s research focus is in post-secondary student success, student engagement and assessment. he is also involved in coaching and teaching the eﬀectiveness, design and implementation of coaching and referee education programs. chris wilson, bfA ’08, had already made a good name for himself in canadian comedy as half of the award-winning sketch comedy Peter & chris, but then an opportunity to audition for the popular tV series Air Farce came up. “It was pretty fun. they just sent some scripts from past

shows. from there, I just put my own take, my own spin on things. that was that,” he says. chris made his debut last July during their canada 150 special. “It’s a dream come true,” he says. “now when I’m at the grocery store asking all those strangers, ‘Where do you know me from?’ they can hopefully say it’s from Air Farce.”

2010’s lianne charlie, MA ’12 (history), from northern tutchone was one of 13 Indigenous women proﬁled on cbc during International Women’s day in 2017. She is a Phd candidate, an artist and a political science instructor at yukon college where she is helping to design curriculum for the Indigenous governance program. She also designed a poster for the Remember, Resist, Redraw poster campaign to bring an alternative understanding of canada and its various historical issues.

lindsaY delaronde lindsaY delaronde, MfA ’10 (Visual Arts), MA ’16 (Indigenous communities counselling) was Victoria’s Indigenous Artist in Residence. lindsay is of Iroquois Mohawk descent. her work has been

violetta kokolUs lIndSAy dElARondE Photo by PRZ

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showcased at the Royal bc Museum and at UVic’s legacy gallery. “I see my role as a way to bring awareness to and acknowledge that reconciliation between Indigenous and nonIndigenous peoples is a process, one in which I can facilitate a collaborative approach for creating strong relationships to produce co-created art projects in Victoria.” left to Right: Alumni Jennifer hill, JodY onUma and michael mazza led their music students to success in a national contest.

Music alumni guide students to gold Some people train for years to achieve olympic glory, but two greater Victoria school groups are already sounding like gold, thanks to the guidance of three University of Victoria School of Music alumni. Music teachers michael mazza and Jennifer hill, at École Arbutus global Middle School, and Jody onuma, at campus View Elementary, were among the six national winners of the annual cbc Music class challenge contest, which sees k-12 schools across the country competing to arrange, perform and record videos of canadian songs. not only does each winning class receive a state-of-theart recording kit worth over $5,000, but the classes led by Mazza (bMus ’02), hill (bMus ’05) and onuma (bMus ’00) saw their videos on cbc tV during the Winter olympics. “I wanted the kids to be watching the olympics with their parents and have the thrill of seeing themselves on tV,” says Mazza, who is also a School of Music sessional instructor (teaching, appropriately enough, a course on “Music in the Middle School curriculum”). this was the ﬁrst time Mazza and hill had won, but it was a second triumph for onuma’s class, following their 2016 win for a cover of Shawn Mendes’ “Stitches.” the 2017 contest saw 500 submissions from every province and territory, judged by a panel of musicians and representatives of contest co-creators cbc and the music education charity Musicounts. — J o h n t h R E l fA l l , b A ’ 9 6

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mike irvine, bA ’11, MA ’15 and maeve gaUthier, MSc ’12, live-streamed from underwater in the Arctic last August as part of the canada c3, a signature project for canada’s 150th. the project, an initiative of the Students on Ice foundation, involved an epic 150-day sailing journey from toronto to Victoria via the northwest Passage which aspired to connect canadians from all coasts and inspire within them a deeper understanding of our land, peoples and the past, present and future of our country. donna kane, bA ’10, had her memoir, Summer of the Horse, released with harbour Publishing in March. Some of her work on the book began at UVic. the story, set in “the Serengeti of the north,” reveals donna’s journey to ﬁnd her place in the world after leaving a 25-year marriage for a wilderness guide. donna lives in Rolla near dawson creek, bc, where she has organized literary events since 1999 and is currently the Executive director of the Peace liard Regional Arts council. She has also written two poetry books, Somewhere, a Fire and Erratic. her poetry has appeared in journals across canada.

ellerY lamm, bA ’17 (fine Arts), an award-winning writer, filmmaker and radio storyteller, was recently hired by Save the children as their Story and content Producer (aka Storyteller). She will travel the world telling stories about children through various mediums including film, photography, animation, podcasting and more. Jordan moUnteer, bfA ’10 (Writing), finally had his first book, Liminal, reprinted and released by Sono nis Press last April following a fire that had destroyed all his initial copies except those sent to reviewers. the reviews from BC BookWorld and Malahat Review have been positive and Jordan has won or been short-listed for prizes such as the Prism International’s Poetry Prize, Pandora collective Poetry Prize, Prism International’s Pacific Spirit Poetry Prize, the cbc Poetry Prize and the Montreal Poetry Prize. his writing has appeared in many canadian and American literary magazines. dr. eric tran, Phd ’10 (biochemistry), was one of 15

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research scientists and doctors selected to receive a two-year $200,000 grant from the Sidney kimmel foundation as part of the prestigious kimmel Scholars Program for his research on “Investigating and harnessing the t-cell response against mutated neoantigens in patients with epithelial cancers” at the Providence cancer center in oregon. kaYleen vanderree, bA ’16, with a minor in professional communications co-authored Bolt and Keel: The Wild Adventures of Two Rescued Cats with danielle gumbley. the two friends found

Farewell roger Bannister, hon. lld ’94, was a noted neurologist and world-renowned as the ﬁrst person to ever run a sub fourminute mile. he died March 3, 2018 in oxford, England at the age of 88. michael Booth, Vc ’47, Professor Emeritus of theatre, University of Victoria, passed away peacefully in Victoria on october 2, 2017. dr. booth was chair of the department of theatre at the University of Victoria from 1984 to 1995. before that he spent eight years as founding chair of the department of theatre Studies at the University of Warwick in England and had wide and varied experience in the british theatre.

the orphaned feline brothers at the beginning of a mountain trek. the felines continue to accompany kayleen and danielle on outdoor adventures. you can follow their bolt and keel Instagram account, which now has a whopping 104,000 followers. the idea formed during an English class.

for outstanding contributions to the ﬁeld from the American Alliance for theatre and Education in Washington, dc. the book and supplementary deck of teaching cards are available at the UVic bookstore and through their online catalogue. will weigler

vanessa c. wachUkU, MPA ’13, presented at the 10th Annual canadian Association for Refugee and forced Migration Studies (cARfMS) conference and is a Phd candidate in the Policy Studies Program at Ryerson University in toronto.

dr. will weigler, Phd ’12 (Applied theatre), has a new book published by UVic based on his doctoral research into what makes certain theatre performances unforgettable. The Alchemy of Astonishment won the 2017 distinguished book Award

J. david n. edgar, Vc ’54, was known for his sense of humour, his kind spirit, his leadership and intelligence. the Past President of the UVic Alumni Association died on february 2, 2018. gordon hoBson, former UVic professor and chair of the department of Psychology for two terms (1967-1969 and 19721980), at the age of 96. daughter pennY hoBsonUnderwood, Phd ’89 (Psychology) writes, “he made us laugh and drove us mad in equal measure and lived life Writ large and energetically. We shall miss his ﬂashes of spontaneity and exuberance, his courage and wisdom, his irreverence and sense of the ridiculous, and his indomitable spirit.”

of 39 from a rare medical condition known as hunter Syndrome. Simon was a lover of sport and an advocate for people living with rare illnesses. he became student manager of the St. Michaels University School basketball team alongside coach Ian hyde-lay and basketball stars Steve nash and Milan Uzelac. “Simon’s attitude was so positive despite all the obstacles he faced. he displayed amazing courage, and with a complete absence of self-pity,” hyde-lay said. “he always battled back and outlived all expectations.” Simon also managed the Vikes men’s basketball program alongside head coach, the late guy Vetrie and later managed canada basketball programs under coach Jay triano.

simon iBell, bA ’02, passed away on May 25, 2017 at the age

clive mccallUm piercY, Vc ’54, passed away on october

what’s new with You? Be in the next class notes. send news and photos to: torch@uvic.ca

17, 2017. “those who knew clive will remember his unique and enthusiastic character as well as his entrepreneurial and philanthropic achievements,” reads his obituary. stanleY oakes, Vc ’36, passed away on october 9, 2017 after leading a full and productive life and making many contributions through his roles as a professional engineer, a soldier and a father of four. Jack f. rowe, Vc ’46, Alumni Association Volunteer of the year Recipient (2007), former Alumni Association board of director and former director with the Victoria college craigdarroch castle Alumni Association. “A truly selﬂess man, always giving and helping anyone who needed help.” Rowe died on october 3, 2017. T

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vox alUmni

How Roller Derby Changed My Life my passion for the sport helped me hone a competitive edge that leads to success in the rest of my life BY QUinn macdonald, Ba ’14

“As I trained for derby, I found a new drive, and I liked it. Sometimes I have to reign myself in from getting too competitive, though.”

QUinn macdonald

skates a lap as a jammer at an Eves of destruction roller derby bout in Victoria. A jammer scores points by lapping opponents.

hen you grow up playing sports at a competitive level, it becomes all that you do. Your family life revolves around practice times and weekend road trips, especially when you’re living in Port Alberni, your team is an hour away in Nanaimo, and your practices start at 5:30 a.m. on a school day. My sport was hockey—because what other activity regularly begins that early in the morning? Hockey was perfect for me, because I had a slightly aggressive streak and tended to hit people when I played sports anyway. It was easy to focus on hockey in high school because I mostly drifted through my studies. I knew I was smart enough to get by, but I didn’t really care. ere were a few bright moments in my English 12 class, but that’s about it. School just wasn’t a priority for me. I wasn’t ready to go to university right away after graduating high school in 2006. Options for competitive sports for women tend to dry up at that level, so I stopped playing. I felt unmoored without my sport—a common feeling at age 18— and I spent a few years travelling and killing time before enrolling at UVic in 2010. When I found roller derby in 2011, it refocused my life. I remembered what it felt like to be part of a competitive and highly physical sport. And I was good at it, even more so than hockey. As I trained for derby, I found a new drive, and I liked it. Sometimes I have to reign myself in from getting too competitive, though. When people of older generations think of roller derby, they might think of “Skinny Minni Miller” and flying elbows. e contemporary version of derby has kept the fun, campy aspects of the sport, like fishnet stockings and derby names—mine is e Wife of Wrath, and yes, that’s a Chaucer reference. But make no mistake: the sport is very real, highly strategic, and incredibly physical. We might not be throwing elbows, but we are throwing our bodies. Being part of roller derby means belonging to an incredibly supportive community, a notable difference to some of my experiences as a young woman playing a traditionally patriarchal sport like hockey. Around the time I became serious about roller derby, I was accepted into the Honours program

36 UVIc toRch SPRIng 2018

at UVic English. My high-school education didn’t exactly prepare me for the rigours of the program, but I was doing well. I cared about my grades and put in the eﬀort needed to achieve. at competitive edge and stubbornness also gave me the will to succeed with things like Concrete Garden, a print magazine about urban agriculture that grew from a UVic Writing class. is determination has also helped me excel in my new job with Hansard at the BC Legislative Assembly, where my speed and attention to detail are assets rather than things I need to tone down. Roller derby helped me stay focused through school and gave me an important outlet and social circle beyond Ring Road. Somehow I competed at a top level of derby while ﬁnishing my honours thesis to graduate and launching Concrete Garden. (I’m exhausted just remembering it!) at period left me pretty close to burned out, but also taught me about balance, and it was worth it to be able to do so many things that I loved. Ironically, the long hours of my new dream job as an editor has hindered my ability to get to derby practice, and I can feel myself trailing my teammates on the Eves of Destruction. But the season is upon us, and my work schedule is winding down. Come summer, I will be relying on that same competitive edge to push me forward and to strive for better. T tJ chASE

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off campUs

Moody Beauty PhotogRAPhy by ShAnnA bAkER is moment on Johnstone Strait near Telegraph Cove was captured by shanna Baker (BA ’06). e fog had been impenetrable earlier in the morning, but by this point had begun to burn oﬀ, creating swirls and wisps reminiscent of paintbrush strokes. Baker, a freelance photographer and senior editor at Hakai Magazine, roams the globe with a sense of wonder and camera in hand.

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Alumni house Ian Stewart complex 3964 gordon head Road Victoria bc V8n 3X3